MET MAIL
SPORTS NEWS
Despite the changeable weather, our pupils' passion for sports has remained strong. This term, both school teams and individual pupils have taken part in various competitions, tournaments, and training sessions. A particular highlight has been our pupils qualifying for the County Cross Country Finals, showcasing their dedication and perseverance at Northleigh Primary School and Somers Park Primary School.
Additionally, pupils from GMPS have benefited from fantastic training sessions at Malvern Football Club, further developing their skills and teamwork. We are incredibly proud of all our young athletes and look forward to celebrating more sporting achievements in the coming months.
WORLD BOOK
World Book Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the joy of reading and the power of stories in schools. This year, pupils have enjoyed a range of activities, including visits from writers and poets, writing competitions at Brookfield School, and sharing their own poetry. At GMPS, students made full use of their fantastic new library throughout the week, exploring new books and developing their love of reading. Events like these help to inspire creativity, improve literacy skills, and encourage a lifelong appreciation of books
DAY 2024
Pupils across our schools have been engaging in exciting activities to deepen their understanding of geography. These hands-on sessions have helped them explore real-world applications of geography, demonstrating how the subject can be used in the future.
Making volcanoes for homework
Pupils working hard in Geography researching Madagascar.
Looking for local activities
Perfecting map reading skills
VISITORS
We always enjoy welcoming visitors into our schools. This year, our guests have included parents, authors, community members, fossil hunters, and classic car enthusiasts. A particular highlight was James from Malvern Library officially opening the GMPS library, an exciting event for our pupils. At LBPS, we were delighted to host parents for a careers event, inspiring pupils to explore future opportunities.
Additionally, pupils at The Brookfield School had a special visit from Colour Serjeant Haynes of the 5th Battalion, The Rifles. Pupils had the unique opportunity to cook and taste army rations, examine the tools and equipment soldiers use, and even try some on including camouflage paint! These visits have provided enriching experiences for our pupils, bringing learning to life in exciting and memorable ways. If you would like to visit our schools, please get in touch.
Chinese
Celebrating and understanding events like Chinese New Year is important as it helps broaden pupils' cultural awareness and fosters respect for diversity.
This year, our pupils took part in a range of engaging activities to explore Chinese traditions. They began by learning about the cultural significance of the celebration, then crafted lanterns and tried dragon dancing, immersing themselves in the vibrant customs. To finish the week, they gathered for a Chinese feast, enjoying traditional food and further deepening their appreciation of the holiday. Activities like these not only enrich our pupils' knowledge of other cultures but also promote inclusivity and encourage them to embrace the diverse world around them.
ADVENTURES OUTDOOR
At MET, we believe in helping every pupil thrive by offering more than just a classroom education. Outdoor activities are a key part of this, from Forest School sessions to arts and crafts in nature.
This term, a small group of our cycling well-being pupils had a unique opportunity to test ride Halo Leisure’s Ice Bike—designed to support those with disabilities or recovering from injuries. A big thank you to the Halo Leisure Cycle Track team for this fantastic experience! Pupils have been learning vital life skills like road safety and exploring Norse myths in a traditional fashion. These experiences help build confidence, creativity, and resilience beyond the classroom.
Well-being week
Ensuring the well-being of our communities is a top priority at MET. For Children's Mental Health Week, our schools explored tools and strategies to help pupils build resilience and support their well-being now and in the future. Pupils practiced self-regulation through baking, while Reception took their learning outdoors for an exciting emotion hunt in the winter sunshine. Across MET, activities like meditation and mindfulness helped pupils develop valuable techniques for ma i emotions and promoting positive mental h
Learning beyond the classroom
This term, pupils have enjoyed a variety of enriching trips, from historical sites to theatre performances. At Smite Farm, they explored sustainable farming, while Sudeley Castle brought history to life. The cinema showing of Paddington in Peru delighted our pupils and encouraged a love for storytelling. Other adventures included a visit to a Mosque, fostering cultural understanding, and an exploration of Wyre Forest, where pupils learned about wildlife. The Planetarium visit amazed students with a journey through space, deepening their curiosity about the universe.
These experiences have enhanced learning, broadened horizons, and created lasting memories. We look forward to more exciting adventures ahead!
SUNFLOWERS
HoneywellPrimarySchool ComplexCommunication
NeedsSpecialistResource Unit-“Sunflowers”
Our Sunflowers unit currently supports 9 EHCP children with an adaptive and personalised curriculum. This resource unit enables us to support the diverse additional needs of a select group of children across Worcestershire, that currently cannot be supported within a mainstream classroom.
It has been a busy term in Sunflowers – they have been developing their knowledge of the wider world they live in. The children have enjoyed locating familiar places within our school grounds, local area and the United Kingdom using their interests to guide their learning; identifying animals and the continent they are native to.
The Gruffalo book by Julia Donaldson has been a great way to engage the children and develop their speech and language skills; sequencing, supporting oral recount, character descriptions and finally a visit to the Wyre Forest Nature Reserve to follow a planned route to support and write a recount!
A true picture of what a child can achieve in the right environment.
In other news
The Attendance Alpacas have arrived at Somers Park Primary School, staying for a week with the classes that achieve the best attendance and most improved attendance.
Somers Park Primary School is delighted to incorporate the awardwinning OPAL program into playtimes, a mentor-supported initiative proven to sustainably enhance play.
Congratulations to pupils at Leigh and Bransford who put on an incredible performance of Aladdin.
The
delivered an outstanding performance
well done to everyone who took part!
Pupils took part in the Young Voices performances. Everyone put on an incredible performance, showcasing their talent and enthusiasm in an unforgettable event!
Great Malvern Primary School choir
at Malvern Theatre
HEAD OF GOVERNANCE UPDATE
At Mercian Educational Trust, we are incredibly fortunate to be supported by a dedicated network of governance volunteers who bring skill, integrity and community insight to their roles. Whether serving on our Local Governing Boards, as Trustees or Members, their contribution is central to ensuring that our schools continue to provide excellent, inclusive education for every child.
This spring, our focus has been on empowering our volunteers, equipping them with the tools, training and strategic understanding needed to thrive in their roles as we move into the summer term and beyond. Governance is not only a vital function of trust leadership, but also a dynamic, rewarding and deeply purposeful way to support education at a strategic level.
From focused training sessions to long-term strategy planning and a newly launched inclusion research project, we are proud to be building a governance culture that values continuous development, collaboration and impact.
Strengthening Governance Through Insight
A detailed skills audit across our governance teams, provided valuable insights to inform our next steps in training and development. Our volunteers bring a diverse and impressive range of expertise, now we can better align that with the needs of our schools and strategy.
Upcoming Governance Training – April 5th
Our next governance training session will focus on key areas from a strategic governance lens: attendance, SEND and interpreting the Ofsted scorecard. This is a great opportunity to deepen understanding and sharpen our strategic oversight and we are excited to welcome governance volunteers from local schools to join us.
Looking to the Future – Trust Strategy Session
We’re also excited to host a Trust Strategy Session this term, where all governance volunteers are invited to join school and Trust leaders. Together, we’ll look ahead at the next three years, ensuring that our shared vision is ambitious, clear, and achievable. It’s an important moment to reflect, challenge, and co-create the roadmap for the Trust’s future.
InclusionResearchProjectLaunched
We’re thrilled to share that a new inclusion research project has been approved. This initiative will inform practice across our schools and contribute to more inclusive environments for every learner. Updates will be shared regularly with the Standards Committee, the Trust Board, and LGBs
Governance: Dynamic, Purposeful and Evolving
As we look ahead to 2025–26, we are already exploring how to make governance across the Trust as effective and efficient as possible— with full respect for the time our volunteers give so generously. Governance at Mercian is not only strategic and essential; it is dynamic, people-focused, and deeply interesting.
We are proud of the energy and innovation emerging within our governance teams. Thank you again for all that you do. Together, we are building something powerful—rooted in values, driven by purpose, and led by people who care.
RESIDENTIAL SCRAPBOOK
Friendships,andfunadventures
Pupils had an unforgettable experience on their residential trips. Pupils who visited Boundless Outdoors, enjoyed a variety of fun activities and took part in Iron Age workshops. Great Malvern Primary Schoo pupils went on a historical adventure to York During this incredible trip they explored th era, made the a Viking!
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS
CENTRAL TEAM NEWS
This term, we hosted the inaugural MET Attendance Event, bringing together attendance leads, headteachers, and office staff from across the county. The event focused on fostering a culture of belonging and was expertly led by our Attendance and Family Support Officer, Donna Parker.
AWARD WINNING AWARD WINNING
Huge congratulations to Mrs Katie Eades from Honeywell for winning the Unsung Hero Award at the Worcestershire Education Awards! This award is so well deserved thank you, Katie, for your incredible dedication to supporting pupils, parents, and families, and congratulations as well to all the amazing nominees who make such a difference every day.